Tension device for musical instruments



. May 1 I M. A. OETTINGER 1,713,002

TENSION DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Dec. 24 1925' Patented May14, 1929.

UNITED STATES MARK A. OETTINGER, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TENSION DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed December 24, 1925. Serial No. 77,497.

My invention relates to tension devices for musical instruments and itsgeneral object is to improve and simplify the construction of suchdevices in the manner hereinafter set forth.

One of the specific objects of my invention is to provide the tensionkey with means for locking the same in adjusted position.

Another specific object is to provide means movable in a directionsubstantially at right angles to the plane of the instrument head forexerting a direct pull on said string.

Other objects will hereinafter appear in the detailed description of myinvention.

With the foregoing objects in view my invontion comprises a key foreffecting the rapid or coarse adjustment of the tension, and a pegmovable longitudinally with respect to said key and connected forrotation therewith for effecting the fine adjustment of the tension.

My invention comprises also a key provided with means such as a lug anda plurality of slots for locking the key in adjusted position, said keybeing adapted for limited longitudinal movement so that said lug may bedisengaged from one of said slots by the upward movement of the key.

An illustrative embodiment of my invention is shown in the drawingswhich accompany and form a part of this specification, but it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made in the apparatustherein illustrated without departing from my invention as defined bythe appended claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a musical instrumenttensioning device embodying my in vention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a detail of construction.

In the particular drawings selected for illustrating the principle of myinvention and which are to be considered merely as illustrative and notas restrictive, 10 represents the head of a stringed instrument having abore 11 substantially at right angles to the plane thereof which housesthe hollow stud 12 of the key 13. Secured to said stud is a collar 14provided with a lug 15 arranged to take into any one of the slots 16 ofthe lower plate' 17. The lug 15 and its co-operating slot constitute alocking device whereby said key may be firmly held in adjusted position.The key has a limited longitudinal movement with respect to theinstrument head which permits the disengagement of the lug 15 from oneof the slots 16 by a slight upward movement of said key.

The lower portion of the peg 18 is enclosed within the hollow stud andis movable longitudinally therewith while the radiallyprojecting pin 19which engages the longitudinal slot 20 in the wall of said hollow stud,connects said peg to the key 13 for rotational movement. The screw 21passes through and has threaded engagement with the key and is providedwith a knurled head 22 which projects through the opening 23 in the flatportion of the key.

To guide the string 24 to the hole 25 of the peg, any suitable devicesuch as the hook 26- driven into the head immediately in front of thepeg may be employed.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various meansother than those herein specifically described may be employed forlocking the key in adjusted position, and that various devices may beused to raise and lower the peg with respect to the instrument head inorder to effect the fine adjustment by exerting a direct pull on thestring in a direction substantially at right angles to the axis thereof.

The operation of my improved tension device is as follows:

The key is grasped by the operator and pushed upwardly to disengage thelug 15 from one of the slots 16, whereupon said key and its associatedpeg are turned in the usual Way to tighten the string, and then the keyis lowered until the lug falls into one of the slots and locks the sameagainst retrograde movement. The thumb-piece or knurled head 22 is thenrotated to push the peg outwardly for increasing tension or drawing itinwardly to reduce the tension until the string has been given theproper tune.

It will be noted that a number of turns of the thumb-piece are requiredto slightly alter the tension of the string so that the desired finaladjustment may be accurately obtained without the slightest possibilityof slipping movement therewith and longitudinal movement with respectthereto, a string guide on the instrument head near the upper surfacethereof and immediately in front of said peg, and means for imparting tosaid peg a longitudinal movement with respect to said key.

2. A tension device for stringed musical instruments comprising incombination, a rotatable key, means for locking said key againstrotation, a peg rotatable with said key, a string guide on theinstrument head near the upper surface thereof and immediately in frontof said peg, and means for moving said peg longitudinally of said key.

3. A tension device for stringed musical instruments comprising incombination a key provided with a hollow stud having a longitudinalslot, a peg enclosed within said hollow stud, a pin projecting radiallyfrom said peg and taking into said slot, a screw threaded to said keyand bearing against the lower end of said peg, and a head for turningsaid screw with respect to said key.

4. A tension device for stringed musical instruments comprising a keyhaving limited longitudinal movement with respect to said instrument, astationary member having a plurality of slots, a lug fixed to said keyand arranged to take into any one of said slots, and. a peg rotatablewith said key, said lug being disengageable from said slot by upwardlongitudinal movement of said key.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day ofDecember, 1926.

MARK A. OETTINGER.

